The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1887-12-10


il, pecuuiarily speaking, the advantage oil
the union inclined to my side, | cannot
consider that l was the party most bene
flied by the transaction.
1t was soon after this happy event that
Iris entreated from me as a gift photo
graph of myself | could not help being
struck by this instance of feminine parsi
mony with regard to small disbursements
since for the trifing sum Of one shilling il
was perfectly open to her to procure an ad-
mirable presentment of me at almost any
stationers; for, in obedience to widely
expressed demand, | had already more than
once undergone the ordeal by camera.
But no; she professed to desire por-
trait more peculiarly her own, one that
should mark the precise epoch of Cur
mutual happiness caprice which remind
ed me of the Salvation Army recruit who
was photographed by desire, ''before and
after conversion" aud demurred a little
until Iris insisted with such captivating per-
siiDseity that--although my personal expen-
ses always slightly in excessof my income
had been further swelled since my engage
meut by the innumerable petits soins ex-
pected by an absurd custom from every
lover-I gave way at length.
1t was her desire that my portrait should
form pendant to one of herself which had
been recently taken by fashionable pho
tographer, and l promised to see that this
wish should be gratiGed. 1t is possible
that she expected me to resort to the same
artist, but there we're considerations which
induced me to avoid this if 1 could. To
the extent of guinea Cor even thirty
shillings) | could refuse her nothing, but
every one knows what sums are demanded
by a photographer who is at all in vogue.
l might, to be sure, as public character,
have sat without being called upon for any
consideration beyond the right to dispose
of copies of my photograph, but felt that
lis would be little hurt if | took this
course, and none of the West End people
whom consulted in the matter quite saw
their way to such an arrangement just
then. There was temporary lull, they
assured me, in the demand for ikenesses of
our leading literary men, and | myself had
been photographed within too recent a
period to form any exception to the rule.
So keeping my promise constantly in
mind, | never entered secluded ntighbor-
hood without being on the lookout for
some unpretending Photographic studio
which would combine artistic excellence
with moderate charges.
And at last discovered this Photographic
phoenix, whose nest, if | may SO term it, was
in retired suburb which do not care to
particularize. Upon the street level was a
handsome plate-glass window, in which,
against background of dark purple hang
ings and potted ferns, were displayed cartes,
cabinets, and groups, in which not even my
trained faculties could detect the least in
feriority to the more costly productions of
the West End, while the list of prices that
hung by the door was conceived in a
spirit. Of exemplary modssty: "a Inside inside, and,
on o. stating my wish to be photographed at
once, was invited by a very civil youth,
with a slight cast in his eye, to walk up
stairs, which | accordingly did.
| mounted flight after flight of stairs, till
| eventually found myself at the top of the
house, in an apartment pervaded by strong
odor of chemicals and glazed along the
roof and the whole of one side with panes
of blush tint. 1t was empty at the mo-
ment of my entrance, but after few min
utes the photographer burst impetuously in
"a tall young man, with long hair and pale
ewes, whose appearance denoted nervous
and high-strung temperament. Perceiving
him to be slightly overawed by certain
unconscious dignity in my bearing, which
frequently does produce that effect upon
strangers, | fastened to reassure him by
discriminating eulogies upon the specimens
of his art that l had been inspecting below,
and | saw at once that he was readily sus-
ceptible to fattery.
tYou will find me-" l told him frankly
"a little more difficult to satisfy than your
ordinary clientele, but, on the other hand
| am peculiarly capable of appreciatins
really good work. Now, | was struck at
once BY the delicacy of tone, the nice dis
examination of values, the atmosphere
graduation, feeling, and surface of the exam
Dies displayed in your window.
He bowed almost tothe ground, but hay
ing taken careful note of his prices, fell
secure in commencing him, even to the
verge of extravaganza, and, besides, does
not the artistic nature demand the stimulus
of praise to enable it to put forth its full
powers?
He inquired in what style wished to bt
taken, whether full-length, halflength, Oh
yiguette. Il will answer you as concisely
as possible" said Il havebeen pressed
by one whose least preference is law tc
me. to have photograph ofmyself execut
ed which shall form counterpart or pen
dant. as it we're, to her own. have there
fore taken the precaution to bring her por
trait with me for your guidance. You vii
observe it is the work of firm in my opin
ion greatly overrated- Messrs. LEM, Kan
erer & Co.-and, while you will follow it ii
style and the disposition of accessories, yol
will, make no doubt, produce, if you TAX
ordinary pains, picture vastly superior il
artistic merit.
This, as will be perceived, was skillfull.
designed to put him onhis mettle and rous
a useful spirit of emulation. He took tn
portrait Of Iris from my hands and carrie
it to the light, where he examinedit grave
ly in silence.
II presume he said at length, "that
need hardly tell you cannot pledge my
self to produce result as pleasing as thi
under the circumstances.
eThas" I replied, "rests entirely wit
you. If you overcome your natural diff
dence, and do yourself full justice, | see
reason why you should not obtain som'
thing even more satisfactory.
Ny encouragement almost unmanne
him. He turned abruptly away and BILE
his nose violently with a colored silk han'
kerchief.
ssCome, come, l said, smiling kindly
"you see have every confidence in you
let us begin. l don't know, By the way
j added, with a sudden after-though
'swhether in your leisure moments you tai
any interest in contemporary literature.
J I'll have done SO in my time, he a.
mitted; ''not very lately"